Naxal menace forces EC to change poll timing

Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 11:38 [IST]

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New Delhi, Apr 14: Due to the increased Naxalite activities across many regions, the Election Commission (EC) has changed the timings of polling in 15 Lok Sabha Constituencies in Jharkhand, Orissa, Maharastra and Bihar.

The polling now is scheduled to happen between 7 AM to 3 PM which will allow for day-light evacuation of polling personnel and poll materials.

"The timings of 66 assembly segments in 15 parliamentary constituencies in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Orissa and Bihar were synchronized and changed from 7 am to 3 pm without reducing the statutory time period," an EC release said.

in order to successfully carry out the evacuation, helicopters will be provided to the states after assessing the requirements. The state administration has been advised to work out an economic sortie plan for the helicopters.